Elementary and youth Christian formation
Faith formation, or catechesis (teaching the faith), aims to deepen our children’s and youth’s contact with Jesus Christ by educational and enrichment opportunities. Designed to teach the faith as well as touch the heart, our programs help our children and youth live and experience a more Christ-centered life.
Our Elementary Religious Ed classes, kindergarten–5th grade, meet on Sunday mornings during the regular school year from 9:30–10:45am in classrooms located in our parish hall. Preparation and celebration of first Sacraments, Reconciliation and Communion, occurs in the 2nd grade. Our middle and high school classes for youth 6–12th grade meet on Sunday evenings from 6:30–8pm in the parish hall. The Sacrament of Confirmation is normally prepared for and celebrated in the 10th grade. There is a special preparation program for this sacrament; we are part of the New River Valley Confirmation program.
For information on any of our programs, please contact Sue Ellerbrock, Director of Religious Education, at oreoangel@yahoo.com.
Our Elementary Religious Ed classes, kindergarten–5th grade, meet on Sunday mornings during the regular school year from 9:30–10:45am in classrooms located in our parish hall. Preparation and celebration of first Sacraments, Reconciliation and Communion, occurs in the 2nd grade. Our middle and high school classes for youth 6–12th grade meet on Sunday evenings from 6:30–8pm in the parish hall. The Sacrament of Confirmation is normally prepared for and celebrated in the 10th grade. There is a special preparation program for this sacrament; we are part of the New River Valley Confirmation program.
For information on any of our programs, please contact Sue Ellerbrock, Director of Religious Education, at oreoangel@yahoo.com.
Adult faith formation
Our Adult Faith Formation ministry focuses on the particular needs of our faith community. To be faithful and effective, it will offer, over time, a comprehensive presentation and exploration of the core elements of the Catholic faith and practice — a complete initiation into a Catholic way of life. It strives to do so in a way and time that is accessible to adults, helping them to form a Christian conscience and to live their lives in the world as faithful disciples of Jesus.
The 3 goals that guide and direct our efforts of adult faith formation are:
Our programs meet at various days and times throughout the year. Please refer to the bulletin for information on all our programs.
The 3 goals that guide and direct our efforts of adult faith formation are:
- To invite and enable ongoing conversion to Jesus in Holiness of Life.
- To promote and support active membership in the Christian Community.
- To prepare adults to act as disciples in mission to the world.
Our programs meet at various days and times throughout the year. Please refer to the bulletin for information on all our programs.
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
RCIA is an exploration of the Catholic Faith and is the process through which we bring people into the Catholic Church, both those who have never been baptized (Catechumens) and those who were baptized in a non-Catholic Christian faith community (Candidates for Full Communion). We also welcome adult Catholics who are seeking the sacrament of Confirmation to join us in this program. Each year in September, we begin a new RCIA class and invite those who feel their faith journey is leading them to the Catholic Church, or who are curious to understand the teachings and customs of Catholic Christianity.
The RCIA process is much more than a series of classes one must take before joining the Catholic Church. It is a rich and grace-filled journey in which one encounters and walks with Jesus Christ and learns how to follow him in a new and deeper way. A sponsor is chosen to join you in this journey and be present with you when you receive the Easter sacraments. For those who have never been baptized, this process will culminate in Baptism at the Easter Vigil. Those who are already baptized in another faith will be received into full communion with the Catholic Church by a Profession of Faith. The newly baptized adults, those who made their professions of faith, and those who were baptized Catholic, will then all be Confirmed and share in the Holy Eucharist for the first time that same evening.
Classes are held weekly on Wednesdays at 7:30pm in the Fellowship Hall, following the 7pm evening Mass. For more information, please contact Sue Ellerbrock, Director of Religious Education, at oreoangel@yahoo.com or call 540-639-5341.
The RCIA process is much more than a series of classes one must take before joining the Catholic Church. It is a rich and grace-filled journey in which one encounters and walks with Jesus Christ and learns how to follow him in a new and deeper way. A sponsor is chosen to join you in this journey and be present with you when you receive the Easter sacraments. For those who have never been baptized, this process will culminate in Baptism at the Easter Vigil. Those who are already baptized in another faith will be received into full communion with the Catholic Church by a Profession of Faith. The newly baptized adults, those who made their professions of faith, and those who were baptized Catholic, will then all be Confirmed and share in the Holy Eucharist for the first time that same evening.
Classes are held weekly on Wednesdays at 7:30pm in the Fellowship Hall, following the 7pm evening Mass. For more information, please contact Sue Ellerbrock, Director of Religious Education, at oreoangel@yahoo.com or call 540-639-5341.